Brunei replaces Bahrain in Thailand's King's Cup

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has confirmed Brunei as a replacement participant for the 52nd King's Cup, scheduled to take place in Sisaket from November 9 to 17, 2026.

Brunei was invited to fill the vacancy left by Bahrain, which withdrew from the tournament at the last minute. Bahrain cited changes within its coaching staff as the reason for needing to adjust its training and match schedules for November.

Nualphan Lamsam, President of the FAT, explained that the decision to invite Brunei was made due to the urgent timeframe and the need to secure a team that was available during the FIFA international window. The selection has drawn attention due to the significant difference in FIFA rankings; while original participants Oman, Tajikistan, and Bahrain were ranked between 79 and 101, Brunei is currently ranked 196th.

The final lineup for the tournament includes the host, Thailand, alongside Oman, Tajikistan, and Brunei. An official draw and press conference are scheduled for October 19 at the Gallery Hotel in Sisaket.